Bumpy road to NIFA, ERS relocation

The relocation of National Institute of Food and Agriculture employees and Economic Research Service employees to Kansas City continues, but some employees may be able to remain in Washington, D.C. for a few more months, Government Executive reported. The Department is delaying the move date, or separation date, for those who decline to relocate until Dec. 9, 2019, in some cases and March 30, 2020, in others. So far, only NIFA employees have received the letters.

The department is changing the report date to Dec. 9 for three teams at the Economic Research Service, the Federal News Network reports. Previously, employees were expected to report to Kansas City by Sept. 30 or leave their current positions by the end of the month. The change is creating confusion for ERS and NIFA employees.

The move is forcing employees at all stages of life into wrenching decisions, the Washington Post reports in an article examining the decision three employees made. None are staying with USDA.

Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen are asking the USDA to explain a decision to reduce payments to Economic Research Service and National Institute of Food and Agriculture employees who declined to relocate to Kansas City, CBS19News reported. They said USDA employees were led to believe they would be offered buyout deals at or near the federal maximum, but now they will be offered much less than $25,000 and the employees were not notified of the change earlier.